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Illegal immigrants in prison
Following is a question by the Hon M G Barrow and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Security, Mr James Morris, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In regard to the jailing of illegal immigrants, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
of the percentage of illegal immigrants in the prison population, their average length of sentence, together with a breakdown by the offences committed;
of the estimated annual cost of maintaining these illegal immigrants in jail;
whether there is evidence that a jail sentence in the territory is more of a deterrent than immediate return to China; and
whether the Government will review its policy of jailing those illegal immigrants whose only crime has been working here illegally, rather than sending them back to China?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a)
As regards the first part of the question, there are about 3 300 illegal immigrants in prison. This accounts for approximately 26% of the total penal population of about 12 500.
72% of the illegal immigrants in prison were sentenced to
periods
ranging from one month to 18 months. The rest are serving sentences of more than 18 months.